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The two teams that fight for the title of World Champions in the end are normally the two best sides in the tournament. Upsets do take place during the meet, but generally the best teams meet for the final showdown.
The 1975 World Cup final saw the West Indies taking the field against Australia. The Windies batted first amassing 291 for eight from their quota of 60 overs.
Clive Lloyd, their captain, led from the front with an 85-ball century. His knock of 102 consisted of 12 fours and two sixes. Gary Gilmour took five wickets giving away 48 runs in 12 overs. In reply, the Aussies could make only 274. They were bowled out with eight balls to spare. Ian Chappell top scored with 62 while Keith Boyce took four wickets. The West Indies won by 17 runs.
In 1979, the West Indies again made it to the final. This time their opponents were the hosts England. This time too they batted first and scored 286 for nine. Vivian Richards remained unbeaten on 138 from 157 balls. He smashed the ball all round the park and his knock included 11 fours and three sixes. The English surrendered meekly to the pace and guile of Joel Garner in their reply. They were bowled out for 194 with garner scalping five victims. Half centuries by James Brearly and Geoffrey Boycott at the top of the order was not enough to see the through. The West Indies won by 92 runs.
Aiming for a hat trick of wins at the World Cup, the West Indies took the field against India in 1983. They bowled out the Indians for a paltry 183 in 54.4 overs. Mohinder Amarnath top scored with 36 while Andy Roberts took three wickets. The West Indies, fancied to get the runs easily, were shocked by the Indians. They were bowled out for 140 in their reply. Amarnath and Madan Lal took three wickets each. Richards, who was scoring freely, was caught brilliantly by Kapil Dev for 33. India won by 43 runs.
The 1987 World Cup saw Australia and England battle it out for the trophy. Bouyed by David Boon’s 75, the Aussies reached 253 for five in 50 overs. Mike Velleta scored a quick fire 45 towards the end. The English fell short by only seven runs in reply. This has been the closest final in the history of the World Cup so far. Bill Athey scored 58 while Alan lamb and Mike Gatting scored in the 40s. Gatting will always be remembered for getting out while attempting a reverse sweep. The Aussies lifted the World Cup for the first time.
Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup final against England. Imran Khan (78) and Javed Miandad (58) guided Pakistan to 249 for six in 50 overs. At the end Inzamam ul-Haq and Wasim Akram scored more than a ball to take the score to 249. England were all out for 227 in their reply. Neil Fairbrother scored 62, which was the highest. Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed took three wickets each.
Sri Lanka defeated the Australians in the final of the 1996 World Cup. They became the first team to win while chasing. Australia scored 241 for seven in 50 overs, with ark Taylor top scoring with 74. In reply, Aravinda de Silva scored 107 to guide Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket victory in 46.2 overs. He was ably supported by Asanka Gurusinha (65) and Arjuna Ranatunga (47*).
Australia put this loss behind as they took the field against Pakistan at Lords in 1999. They demolished the Pakistan line up for 132. Shane Warne was the qwrecker-in-chief taking four wickets. The Aussies reached their target easily, losing only two wickets in the process.
In 2003, they successfully defended their title against India. It was a one-sded game, like the previous one, as the Australian batsmen made mince meat of the Indian attack. They scored 359 for three with captain Ricky Ponting scoring 140. His innings included four fours and eight sixes. He was well supported by Damien Martyn (88). In reply India were bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs. Virender Sehwag top scored with 82.